Scaffold plank connector



April 25, 1961 o. v. OLSEN SCAFFOLD PLANK CONNECTOR Filed June 29, 1959 Orville 1 Olsen 1N VEN TOR.

United States atent SCAFFOLD PLANK CONNECTOR Orville V. Olsen, 1414 6th St. W., Williston, N. Dak.

Filed June 29, 1959, Ser. No. 823,647

Claims. (Cl. 182-223) This invention relates generally to scatfodling for use particularly although not necessarily in the building trades and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, novel means for mounting the planks on the frame.

Another very important object of the present invention is to provide a connector or support of the character described which will protect and materially strengthen the end portions of the plank.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a connector of the aforementioned character which will provide a smooth, unobstructed joint between the planks of the scaffold sections.

Another object of the invention is to provide a connector or support of the character set forth which will obviate lapping the planks and unsupported end portions thereof, thus permitting the use of relatively short planks.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a scaffold plank connector which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight, safe and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing a scaffold equipped with plank connectors embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view, showing the adjacent end portions of a pair of planks provided with connectors embodying the present invention;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view'in longitudinal section, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2; and,

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in transverse section, taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that reference character 5 designates generally the frame of a multiple section scaffold. The frame 5 includes the usual uprights or posts 6, braces 7, upper cross members 8, etc., the latter providing supports for the platform 9. The platform 9 comprises a plurality of planks 10.

The embodiment of the present invention which has been illustrated comprises sleeves 11 of suitable metal to be adjustably and removably mounted on the end portions of the planks 10. The sleeves 1d are rectangular in cross section and of dimensions to snugly receive the end portions of the planks.

Each sleeve 11 includes a top plate 12, depending sides 13 integral with said top plate, and a bottom plate 14. As shown to advantage in Figure 4 of the drawing, the sides 13 of the sleeve 11 comprise inturned bottom flanges 15 on which the bottom plate 14 is welded. The sides '13 of the sleeve 11 have formed therein longitudinal slots 16 for the reception of nails or screws, as indicated at 17, for adjustably securing said sleeve on the plank. The sides 13 of the sleeve 11 are further provided with open- 2,981,355 Patented Apr. 25, 1961.

ice

ings or holes for the reception of additional nails or screws 18 for positively securing said sleeve in adjusted position on the. plank.

Projecting longitudinally from the outer end of the bottom plate 14 of the sleeve .11 is a pair of transversely spaced, upwardly, forwardly and then downwardly curved tongues 19. Projecting forwardly from the outer end of the upper plate 12 of the sleeve 11 is a pair "of transversely spaced, forwardly and downwardly curved tongues 20. The tongues 20 overlie the lower tongues 19 and are welded thereon to provide, in conjunction therewith, hooks 21 which are engageable on the cross members 8 of the scaffold frame 5- for mounting the planks thereon.

It is thought that the use of the invention will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the sleeves 11 are slipped on the end portions of the planks 10 and the screws or nails 17 are started. The sleeves 11 are longitudinally adjusted to the desired position on the planks and the screws or nails 17 are then driven home. The screws or nails 18 are then inserted for positively securing the adjustment. The hooks 21 are then engaged over the cross members 8 of the frame 5 for mounting the planks on said frame in an obvious manner. It will be observed that the hooks 21 on the planks of the adjacent scaffold sections are staggered to interfit for engagement on the cross members 8. The construction and arrangement is such as to provide a smooth, unobstructed platform for a multiple section scaffold. Lapping of the planks and unsupported end portions thereof are eliminated. Both ends of the plank are positively supported on the cross members of the frame. Further, the sleeves 11 permit the length of the planks to vary within a given range. The construction and arrangement is also such as to greatly facilitate installing and removing the planks.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A scaffold plank connector comprising: a metallic sleeve of rectangular cross-section for the reception of an end portion of the plank, said sleeve including a top plate, side plates and a bottom plate, said side plates having longitudinal slots therein, screws mounted in the longitudinal edges of the plank and engaged in the slots for adjustably securing the sleeve on said plank, an armate tongue on the outer end of the sleeve integral with the bottom plate, an arcuate tongue on the outer end of the sleeve integral with the top plate, the second-named tongue overlying the first-named tongue and being aflixed thereto and providing, in conjunction therewith, a hook engageable over a support for mounting the plate thereon.

2. A scaffold plank connector comprising a sleeve of rectangular cross-section for the reception of an end portion of a plank, said sleeve including generally flat and parallel top and bottom plates interconnected by means of a pair of generally parallel side plates, said sleeve including means adapted for securing said sleeve in adjusted longitudinal positions to the end of a plank, a longitudinally projecting curved tongue formed integrally with said bottom plate on one end of said sleeve, a longitudinally projecting curved tongue formed integrally with said top plate on said one end of said sleeve, the second named tongue overlying the first named tongue and being affixed thereto at at least its outer end and providing, in conjunction therewith, a hook engageable References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hunt Jan. 27, 1914 Farr Nov. 4, 1941 Wilson June 15, 1943 McClintock Aug. 24, 1948 Pollrnan Oct. 18, 1949 Booth Aug. 26, 1952 I 

